Kolkata: Despite being an illegal sport, the cruel and inhuman sport of cock fighting has become one of the favourite past times in India's eastern West Bengal state's Midnapore village. Participants gather at a local ground at least thrice a week where each day at least hundreds of birds fight against each other. Their numbers go up to thousands on festive occasions. The rules of the game are fairly simple.

     A sharp blade is affixed on the legs of the fighting pair of birds and a pitched battle ensues between the birds on the provocation of their owners. Egged on by its owner, the sole motive of the bird is to kill its opponent. Hundreds of people flock to see the aggressive fowls battle it out to death, lacing bets on the winning fowl.

      "I have been coming here for the cock fight since several years. Many a time I have lost. Around ten or twelve of my birds have died till now," said Sunder Santra, a cock fight enthusiast. Considered to be a traditional game, the sport has been outlawed. However, many still remain undaunted enthusiasts of the cruel sport.
Mar 28, 2005